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WASHINGTON (April 15, 2021) – World Resources Institute announced that Dr. Elizabeth Farina will be the next Executive Director of WRI Brasil. Farina is highly recognized as an expert in economics and finance with extensive experience in the private sector, public policy and organizational management. She comes to WRI Brasil with the goal of guiding the organization’s research and implementing solutions to drive sustainable and inclusive development in Brazil.
“Science shows that urgency and ambition in decarbonizing our economy will be critical to fighting climate change and biodiversity loss,” said Marcelo Furtado, chairman of Board of WRI Brasil. “Climate justice requires that any solutions to the climate crisis also address inequality. I am sure that Elizabeth will work tirelessly to build a more prosperous, fair and sustainable future for Brazil by engaging academia, the private sector and civil society to move in this direction.”
“I am delighted that Elizabeth will take the helm of WRI Brasil, where she will lead the team to build the case for inclusive, sustainable and resilient growth,” said Manish Bapna, Interim President & CEO, WRI. “Elizabeth’s track record in economics and agriculture, and experience shaping national policy, will be critical to chart new pathways for sustainable development in Brazil. As we move ahead in this decisive decade, many are watching to see if Brazil will pursue growth that is inclusive and protects its natural ecosystems. I am confident that Elizabeth and the WRI Brasil team can help make this happen.”
WRI Brasil is a research institute that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunities and human well-being. The institute is part of the WRI global network, which spans more than 60 countries. Farina arrives at WRI Brasil with the challenge of leading the institute in building pathways for a new economy and job growth for Brazil; promoting more inclusive, equitable and low-carbon cities; and restoring forests and recovering degraded lands.
“I am honored to be in charge of an organization with a focus on one of the most urgent issues of our time – sustainable development,” said Farina. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed deep social inequality and the market has shown that we are not distributing resources in an efficient manner. With WRI’s approach of ‘Count it, Change it, Scale it,’ we want to develop research and strategies that help Brazil build back better from the pandemic to a more prosperous and inclusive future.”
Farina joins WRI Brasil after serving as CEO of Tendências Consultoria Integrada, where she worked from 2019 to 2021. Farina holds a PhD in economics and was a full-time professor on the Faculty of Economics, Administration and Accounting at the University of São Paulo (USP), where she was also chair of the Department of Economics between 2002 and 2004. In addition to her academic career, she was president of the Brazilian Antitrust Commission (CADE) between 2004 and 2008, and director-president of the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) between 2012 and 2019.
She is currently a member of the Deliberative Council of the Brazilian Institute for the Study of Competition, Consumption and International Trade (IBRAC) (2020-2021), the Bonsucro Administrative Council, and the Higher Agribusiness Council (COSAG) of the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP).
“I wish Elizabeth success in this new challenge and I am confident that she will bring great contributions to WRI Brasil to advance the green recovery agenda through a more inclusive development model,” said Gustavo Loyola, partner at Tendências. “She will work toward a new future for Brazil that generates economic opportunities, jobs and income while protecting the country’s natural capital.”
Farina will be WRI’s second executive director leading WRI Brasil, following Rachel Biderman, who was executive director for nine years and currently serves as vice president for Latin America for Conservation International. The institute is grateful for the service of Fernanda Boscaini, Director of Communications at WRI Brasil, who has been serving as acting executive director since Biderman’s departure.
Farina will start her new position as CEO of WRI Brasil on May 3, 2021.
For more information on WRI Brasil visit: https://wribrasil.org.br/pt.
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